Daim: Having Anwar as PM is a wrong choice

Who doesn’t know Tun Daim Zainuddin? A big name who was once Malaysia’s great economic figure. Even though Anwar Ibrahim tried to tarnish his image and credibility, the former Finance Minister only managed to influence his supporters.

Evn up until now, Tun Daim Zainuddin is still highly respected by the society and his opinions are often used as reference. Tun Daim is also famous with the ‘loan from the state and let the money recycles back to the state’ policy.

On that factor, that is why it is not surprising when mainstream newspaper New Sunday Times and Berita Minggu invited him for an interview on the country’s political situation, even though he is a retired politician.

In the interview, he expressed his worries over the security and well-being of the country if Anwar becomes PM. This is because, according to him, the PKR Leader will bring this country to a chaos. This is because Anwar does not have the depth in economy, and that he always needed people to tell him — what to think and what to do.

“I believe he (Anwar) will mess up the country by getting advice from the likes of the IMF (International Monetary Fund), World Bank and Wolfowitz (Paul Wolfowitz, former World Bank president),” he said.

What is more worrying is that when Tun Daim stated Anwar’s tendency to follow the advice from America if the opposition coalition wins 2013 General Election which will be held soon. Tun Daim added that, this is based on Anwar’s own behavior where he likes to be linked with Western power such as Europe, America and Australia.

“He likes to be linked with Europe, American and Australia. He tries to gain support from Australia to criticize our election, claiming that it is rigged. He shouts about Arab Spring but not through revolution, instead, through ballot box,” said Tun Daim.

When asked about Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak , the economic figure stressed that Najib is the right candidate to be Prime Minister compared to Anwar Ibrahim.

“I want Najib to win because I don’t think Anwar is the right candidate to be Prime Minister.”

There is no rush to make de facto Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leader Anwar Ibrahim prime minister, party president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said.

Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah, who is the new deputy prime minister, said the appointment would be made, in accordance with the original plan, during the middle of the new Pakatan Harapan (PH) government’s term.

“Right now, we want the government helmed by (Prime Minister) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to function smoothly,” she told reporters after visiting Datuk Seri Anwar at the Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital. “We want his administration to bring about the changes and reformation that is needed.”

She was asked to comment on Tun Daim Zainuddin’s remarks in an interview with The Straits Times published yesterday.

Tun Daim, who heads the Council of Elders, had said it would be foolish to have Mr Anwar installed as prime minister immediately after he returns to Parliament.